The distinctive Pope-Cross Building is bordered on its west side by the alley adjacent to the Williamson County Courthouse complex.

Brentwood Home Page news reports
Brentwood architect Scott Wilson recently won an AIA Middle Tennessee  2010 Design Award for his renovation of the Pope-Cross historic office building in Franklin.

An independent jury from the American Institute of Architects San Antonio chapter selected Wilson for a citation in the Built category. Wilson, AIA, LEED AP, is chief manager of Scott Wilson Architect LLC.

“The jurors felt that the combination of careful historic exterior restoration with a modest—yet completely modern—addition is just right for our times. The two coexist beautifully...in fact, each makes the other better—no small feat,” the AIA wrote.

Reclaimed hardwood floors have been used throughout the entire building as well as in this entry where original brick has been left exposed next to one of the masonry fireplaces. (Photos by Scott H. Wilson)

The front office features the corner bay window that gives a view to Fourth Avenue.

Originally built as a detached office for a dentist around 1830, this historic structure  at 114 Third Avenue, Franklin, was in need of an update and expansion to accommodate a current business program.

“The adaptive reuse of this historic structure demonstrates the sensitivity and subtle contextual response befitting an historic district with progressive ideas," Wilson points out.

"The programmatic solution for the project resulted in an historic building that will accommodate a variety of businesses and even serve as an urban home, if desired, with high performance technology and performance standards.”

To accomplish this transformation, the exterior shell was cleaned and repaired as needed to preserve the original structure, Wilson says.

“The addition had to respond to several criteria and conditions , which are unique to the project site. Located on an alley and adjacent to the county courthouse complex, privacy and security became top priorities," the architect said. "The historic and petite nature of the original structure demanded a sensitive addition that would not compete with it visually.”

Wilson’s response was to design the simple addition clad in zinc tiles that will fade to a dull gray over time and cause the addition to recede from view and essentially disappear from the public view of the structure.

Elegant hardware on the double doors.

The solid side wall provides the privacy, and the small rear yard is celebrated with the rear wall of the addition being constructed in all glass to provide a visual connection to the exterior. The privacy and security concerns are reinforced by the wood fence enclosing the rear yard in a design that is inspired by the neighboring historic fence it adjoins.

Inside the structure, the interior updates include a new kitchen and full accessible bath. The historic interiors were totally restored and refinished, including three masonry fireplaces. Some of the original brick walls were exposed on the interior to help show the history of the building.

To be compliant with the strict building codes in the city, the building was brought up to current performance standards with a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, a tankless water heater, spray foam insulation and a reflective roof.

Scott Wilson Architect LLC is a Brentwood-based architectural firm specializing in residential and commercial architecture. The firm has received numerous Aurora, Chrysalis and other awards for its projects.

Design projects by the firm have been featured in Remodeling, Open House, Luxury Living, Design/Build Business, Classic American Homes, Country Home, Builder Magazine, In Style Magazine, At Home Tennessee, Nashville Home and Garden and Nashville Lifestyles—At Home magazines.

For information on Scott Wilson Architect LLC, please visit www.scottwilsonarchitect.com, or contact Wilson at (615) 377-9131.

In the rear office of the Pope-Cross Building, windows open up the area to natural light and the grassy courtyard.	The bath has been updated with fixtures appropriate to the building’s style.	At the back of the Pope-Cross Building, a wall and decorative fencing inspired by the historic neighboring fencing provides a degree of privacy.